Snohomish Co. can do more to protect inmates, report finds

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EVERETT– Conditions in Snohomish County jails are adequate, but could stand many improvements, a report released Monday found.

The report, compiled by a group of third-party independent overseers who spent three days in the jail, was ordered by Snohomish County officials in an effort to shore up inconsistencies that may have contributed to multiple jail deaths, including a 27-year-old woman in 2011 and a young man in 2012.

The report was ordered by then-sheriff John Lovick. Lovick was recently appointed to the Snohomish County Council in place of outgoing executive Aaron Reardon.

The 38-page report compiled by the three individuals associated with the National Institute of Corrections offered sweeping ideas of reform; ranging from managerial practices to changing the time of correction officers’ shifts to offering “honor dorms” to well-behaved prisoners.

“There seems to be several future opportunities that might facilitate a smoother and more efficient criminal justice system operation for the Snohomish County Corrections Bureau,” the report read.

Notable in the report was the suggestion staff members undergo medical training and certification prior to their placement at the jail. Each death over the past three years was specifically reviewed. The committee recommend that a full review come within 72-hours following a death, something that had not previously taken place.

There was also the request to update the jail’s technology, Workers admitted that on-the-job training was tough to come by as well, reviewers said.

It is unclear if Snohomish County officials will adopt many of the recommendations since the report was voluntary.